Mango Fruit Fly, Ceratitis cosyra

The mango fruit fly, Ceratitis cosyra or marula fly, as it is also known due to its native host plant being marula, the African fruit related to mango.

The mango fruit fly is a serious pest in mango farms across sub-Saharan Africa, where it causes more damage of economic importance than the Mediterranean fruit fly. The fly is a particular pest in smallholder and commercial mango across sub-Saharan Africa, occurring in over 20 countries including Kenya, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

Russell IPM provide Ceratitis cosyra pheromone traps for the monitoring and managing of the mango fruit fly pest. Zonatrac is an innovative attract and kill system.

Biology

The body and wing colour of the mango fruit fly are yellowish in colour, with the thorax prominently ringed with black spots that are centrally located followed by two larger spots located on the scutellum.

Adult wing length can reach 6mm and each wing contains costal bands and discal bands. The adults are similar in colour and size to the Mediterranean Fruit Fly, Ceratitis capitata, to distinguish between the two, the medfly thorax is much darker and the apex of the scutellum is completely black.

The life stages of Ceratitis cosyra are as follows; the egg period lasts from 2- 3 days, larva begin maturing in approximately 5 days, taking longer in non-favourable conditions. The pupa of C. cosyra can take 9-12 days to begin maturing into an adult which is alive for up to 60 days.

Fruits can become readily infested with females beginning oviposition from 2 weeks and continuing up to 8 weeks, with an average of 50 larvae per fruit.

Nature of Damage